The stage is dark and the crowd is silent as they wait with anticipation. Suddenly a spotlight hits on a tall African-American guy as he begins stomping his foot to the ground. He continues to stomp his foot over and over again making loud beats. Then the spotlight hits four other guys and two girls that begin following the same loud beats with their feet, while adding claps and dance moves. As this dance (which is called the gumboot dance) continues, the girls begin shaking their hips as the guys start making flips while stomping their feet at the same time. The crowd cheers and yells. This stomping and dancing occurred at the Step Africa Step Show on August 25th, 2010.
The Step Africa show was one of the Center of Multicultural Education (CME) and Western Activities Council (WAC) major events as it had one of the biggest audiences with over 400 people. Keisha Caldwell, President of WAC, explains how successful this event was and how proud she is of the CME, as this was originally their idea.
"In the end of spring, the CME and WAC decided to bring more diverse events on campus," Caldwell said. "We wanted it to bond not only Missouri Western, but also St. Joseph while bringing the importance of culture and individualism. This was the perfect event for that."
However, this event was more then just a fraternity or sorority step show that many other schools host on a continual basis. Step Africa is the only professional dance company in the world dedicated to traditional stepping.
The Step Africa program performs year-round all over the United States along with South America, Europe, Africa and the Caribbean. Professional performer and member of the Step Africa team Michael Alfred explains the commitment he makes to the Step Africa program.
"We work all yearlong, August through August," Alfred said. "We never stop; it's a continuation. I maybe have about two weeks off. But it's ok, we just rock on."
Step Africa was originally founded in 1994 as it's focus was an education tool of the history of African Stepping which originated in the 1900s.
It's defined as a unique dance involving intricate rhythms and sounds founded from South Africa and used by historical African American Fraternities and Sororities. Alfred explains how their theory involves not only educating, but inspiring students to have fun and go for their passion just like he did by choosing to be apart of this program.
"My passion is teaching and dance so (Step Africa) works for me," Afred said. "I never let my passion go. We want to teach students to go for their passions. Find what works for you. Make sure you give it all you've got."
Among influencing many students from different races and cultures, Step Africa also influenced Western's African-American Fraternities and Sororities. Senior Tara Dugger, member of sorority Delta Sigma Theta, explains how the show greatly influenced her sorority.
"It makes you go back to your roots of how stepping got started," Dugger said. "A lot of fraternities and sororities do a lot of stepping and truly don't understand it. Step Africa allows you to appreciate stepping and shows a purpose behind it."
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STEP AFRIKA - Journey to South Africaby StepAfrikaInfo12,588 views
They came to our school and It was amazing!
childofgod99 1 year ago